Details

Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain. Quetiapine is used to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. Quetiapine is also used together with antidepressant medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults. Quetiapine is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. Quetiapine is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Quetiapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions. To make sure quetiapine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease heart disease, heart rhythm problems, a history of heart attack or stroke high or low blood pressure a history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts abnormal thyroid tests or prolactin levels seizures or epilepsy cataracts high cholesterol or triglycerides a personal or family history of diabetes or trouble swallowing. Taking antipsychotic medication in the final leg of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn.

Typical Uses

Quetiapine is used to treat certain mental/mood conditions (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, sudden episodes of mania or depression associated with bipolar disorder). Quetiapine is known as an anti-psychotic drug (atypical type). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. This medication can decrease hallucinations and improve your concentration. It helps you to think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less nervous, and take a more active part in everyday life. It may also improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level. Quetiapine can help prevent severe mood swings or decrease how often mood swings occur. Quetiapine may also be used in combination with other medication to treat depression.

Side Effects

Common quetiapine side effects may include twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights severe nervous system reaction-very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, fainting high blood sugar-increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odour, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss or low blood cell counts-sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms, cough, sore throat, red or swollen gums, painful mouth sores, skin sores, trouble breathing.

Drug Interactions

• Quetiapine+amprenavir- Talk to your doctor before using quetiapine together with amprenavir. Combining these medications can significantly increase the blood levels of quetiapine. You may be more likely to experience side effects such as dizziness drowsiness dry mouth constipation increased appetite weight gain increased blood sugar and cholesterol or triglyceride levels cognitive and motor impairment involuntary muscle movements involving the face, tongue, or other parts of the body difficulty swallowing low blood pressure (especially at the start of treatment or after a dose increase) blood pressure increases (reported in children and teenagers) priapism (prolonged and painful erection unrelated to sexual activity) irregular heart rhythm and seizures.
• Quetiapine+boceprevir- Talk to your doctor before using quetiapine together with boceprevir. Combining these medications can significantly increase the blood levels of quetiapine. You may be more likely to experience side effects such as dizziness drowsiness dry mouth constipation increased appetite weight gain increased blood sugar and cholesterol or triglyceride levels cognitive and motor impairment involuntary muscle movements involving the face, tongue, or other parts of the body difficulty swallowing low blood pressure (especially at the start of treatment or after a dose increase) blood pressure increases (reported in children and teenagers) priapism (prolonged and painful erection unrelated to sexual activity) irregular heart rhythm and seizures.
• Quetiapine+clozapine- Clozapine may occasionally cause serious cardiovascular side ef

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Mechanism of action

Quetiapine belongs to a group of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances (serotonin and dopamine) in the brain.

Pregnancy Category : C